We live in a world where instant seems to be the operative word. Now we can be physically fit in an instant - actually not in an instant but in 4 minutes. If you are one of the legions of Torontonians who regularly goes to the gym for a workout or to attend fitness classes, these claims will come as a shock to you.

A company called H.I.T. Fitness is promoting their 4 minute workout which they claim is the equivalent to 45 minutes of resistance training, 30 minutes of running, and 20 minutes of stretching. Although the workout will only burn from 40 - 50 calories, the company is claiming that an additional 500 calories will continue to be burned over the next 24 hours. The workout, and I use the term loosely, is based upon spending 4 minutes on a machine that has 2 parts - the front works like a rowing machine and the back is like an elliptical step machine. Like most pieces of cardio apparatus, there are different levels of difficulty. 

The research to justify these fabulous claims is in the form of a PDF document on their website. It does not appear that any studies have been done and published in any reputable journals. I suppose that if someone has never exercised, then 4 minutes on the wonder machine will definitely be an improvement. However to date the finest medical minds in the world have not found a quick way to become physically fit. It’s amazing that this company has.

The first location is now operating on the Concourse Level of the TD Centre. The target market is all of you busy working folk who have no more than 4 minutes to spare for something as important as your physical well-being. H.I.T. is hoping to open between 40 and 50 locations within the next 5 years.  

The only thing that I have to say is consumer beware. To read more about getting fit in 4 minutes follow the link below.

http://www.cbc.ca/consumer/story/2007/02/13/short-workout.html

Please let us know if any of you have tried it and what you think about the 4 minute workout.